Ash tray



Dec; 13, 1945. I J, A @RTER 2,391,190

ASH TRAY Filed Dec. 9, 1944 INVENTO 16 JasepfiineAPor er,

Patented Dec. 18, 1945 UNITE-D STATES PATENT OFF ICE ASH-"TRAY? Jasmin-sen; Porter, seminars, Ma:

9', 1944, :seriarNo: 567,415 3 Claims. (01. ref-240') Nppl-icationiiecember This invention relates to ash trays and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It is an object of the invention to provide an ash tray on which a lighted cirgarette may be supported within the tray at an angle permitting ready grasp of the cigarette, as well as retaining the mouth-end of the cigarette from direct contact with the rest, thereby providing a sanitary support for the cigarette.

It is also an object of the invention to provide novel cigarette rests which are so constructed as to afiord a frictional grip upon a cigarette, enabling the spacing of the lighted end from the base of the receptacle, preventing extinguishing of the cigarette, and in addition providing a means complemental to each of the rests for snufling the lighted end of the cigarette when so desired. 4

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a new construction of rest in conjunction with a novel contour of rim which will insure movement of the cigarette into one of the rests in the event thatthe cigarette is positioned so as to contact the rim of the tray.

It'is also an object of the invention to provide a tray which will be attractive as well as ornamental and practical to the end that lighted cigarettes will be positively retained against accidental displacement when positioned in the rests.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention willbe apparent from the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of an ash tray constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross section on the line 4--4 of Figure 1.

There'is illustrated an ash tray generally indicated by the reference character [0, in the present instance shown of substantially square formation as viewed in top plan view, although such shape is not essential in obtaining the objects sought. The tray may be formed from glass,

.pottery, metal or other suitable material, and as toe portion" [2 *definin'g the outer peripheral-pertion of the rest, and the quarter portions 13 being directed inwardly upon the tray and merging into inwardly curved portions l4 defining respective side walls l5 of the tray. The upper edges of the side walls 15 are rounded, as indicated at It, for a purpose presently to be described.

of time, the lighted end would become extinguished due to contact with the base of the well but where it is desired to maintain the cigarette lighted, the cigarette may be positioned between the heel portions l1 so as to obtain a gripping action on the sides thereof and maintain the lighted end in raised position with respect to the base of the well. If the cigarette remained in this position for a period of time it would continue to burn up to the point of contact with the heel portions of the rest where the compressive action between the heel members and the cigarette would be sufficient to snuff the cigarette.

As may be seen in Figure 1, a well I8 is complemental to each of the rests and in alignment with a medial line through the rests. The wells l8 are shown as of substantially oval formation, their innermost ends being formed with an overhanging lip or edge 20. The lip 20 may be employed as a scraper device for removing the lighted end of a cigarette by drawing the lighted end against the edge.

By providing the rounded edge I6, it will be apparent that if a cigarette is laid thereagainst this surface will tend to cant or divert the cigarette toward one of the rests, thus preventing the cigarette from falling outwardly of the tray.

For the purpose of ornamentation as well as a means for locating a tray in a darkened room the openings representing the nail holes of a horse-shoe may be filled with a luminous material 2l, making each rest clearly discernible when viewed from above the tray. In addition, a circumscribing groove 22 may be formed adjacent the base of the tray for reception of a luminous material.

It Will be apparent that if desired, a cigarette may be disposed through the opening IS, the

major portion of the lengths of said Walls, the 7 upper terminal edges of said walls at respective corner junctions being substantally in the form of a horse-shoe, the heel portions of which form a restricted passage for frictional engagement with a cigarette positioned therebetween, and a well member aligned with each restricted passage.

2. The structure of claim I, in which each well member is formed with an overhanging lip in 20 opposed relation to said restricted passages.

3. An ash tray consisting of a receptacle having a substantially square base, and side walls,

the corner junctions of said side walls being formed substantially in the shape of a horseshoe providing an opening between the quarter portion defining the horse-shoe for free reception of a cigarette, said quarter portions being directed inwardly over the base and merged with respective adjacent side walls to define respective heel members, said heel members being spaced apart a distance less than the thickness of a cigarette for frictional engagement with the cigarette when placed therebetween, the wall portions between next adjacent quarter portions being inwardly curved to lie over the base a substantialdistance, the terminal edges of said walls being round and well members formed in said base, aligned through the medial axis between said quarter portions.

JOSEPHINE A. PORTER. 

